CLEVELAND (October 15, 2009)—The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum will unveil a renovated state-of-the-art theatre made possible by the generous support of Gregg and Madelyn Foster. To celebrate the opening of the new theater, the Museum will screen the film U2 3D from Tuesday, October 27 through Saturday, January 2, 2010. For show times please visit http://www.rockhall.com/U23D.

The Foster Theater renovation is an important component of a major initiative to upgrade the Museum and construct and operate the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Library and Archives. The theater hosts the Museum’s educational and public programs serving hundreds of thousands of students and visitors each year. The renovation prepares the Museum for live-streaming content to enhance its award-winning distance learning program. It also gives the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the capabilities to record artist appearances, oral history programs and other events that take place in the theater. Footage from these programs will be preserved in the Museum’s Library and Archives, which will open in downtown Cleveland in 2010.

The upgrades include 3-D viewing capability making it possible for the Rock Hall to screen the film U2 3D , produced by 3ality Digital and distributed worldwide by National Geographic Entertainment. Producers Jon and Peter Shapiro have strong ties to the city of Cleveland.

The first-ever live-action digital 3-D film, U2 3D is a unique cinematic experience that places viewers within the pulsing energy of a stadium concert given by one of the world’s most well-known bands. U2 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Combining innovative digital 3-D imagery and multi-channel surround sound with the excitement of a live U2 concert—shot in South America during the final leg of their “Vertigo” tour — it creates an immersive theatrical experience unlike any 3-D or concert film that has come before. Ushering in a new dimension of filmmaking, U2 3D takes viewers on an extraordinary cinematic journey that has been recognized by critics from around the world as one of the best concert films ever made.

The Foster Theater’s transformation includes:

• 50 percent increase in screen size • Dolby 3D Digital Cinema system with 3-D viewing capability • Dolby 7.1 surround sound and digital sound console • Increased seating capacity with the addition of a multi-purpose seating area • New lighting, carpeting, seats and walls • High-definition camera and recording system that will tape events and programs in the theater for use in the Library & Archives, on the web and more

“To say we are excited about this great honor for U2 3D would be an understatement,” stated David Beal, president of National Geographic Entertainment. “The recognition by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame of this groundbreaking film is reflective of its unique place in cinematic musical history. In keeping with the spirit of National Geographic, U2 3D is adventurous and global in its appeal, making it the perfect film for us to distribute. We are thrilled by the Hall of Fame’s recognition and the increased exposure it gives to the film’s and the band’s message of human rights the world over.”

“U2 3D and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are a perfect match,” said Sandy Climan, CEO of 3ality Digital. “Live performance built rock and roll, and the Hall of Fame celebrates that spirit. U2 3D is one of the most perfect embodiments of a live performance ever captured for the cinema, and we’re delighted that this amazing immersive experience will open the newly-renovated Foster Theater.”

The renovation was designed and overseen by Oscar-winning designer and architect Jeff Cooper. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his contributions to the film industry in the field of acoustic and theatre design. His clients include NBC/Universal Studios, Polygram Records, Warner Brothers Studios, Capitol EMI Records and the New York Institute of Technology, as well as directors Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas and Martin Scorsese. Of the hundreds of theatrical motion pictures mixed in studios designed by Jeff Cooper, 17 have been nominated for Academy Awards in Best Achievement in Sound, and six have won the Oscar in this category, including The English Patient, Apollo 13 and Chicago.

Each year, the Rock Hall’s Foster Theater hosts more than 200 Rockin’ the Schools classes, the Museum’s core kindergarten through 12th grade program, which brings students to the Museum for a lesson focused on how popular music intersects with subjects ranging from science to language arts. In addition, the theater is home to other Rock Hall education programs, including From Songwriters to Soundmen: The People Behind the Hits, Teachers Rock, the Hall of Fame series, the Summer Teacher Institute and Rock and Roll Night School, along with Museum films, conferences and more.

About the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and MuseumThe Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. is the nonprofit organization that exists to educate visitors, fans and scholars from around the world about the history and continuing significance of rock and roll music. It carries out this mission through its operation of a world-class museum that collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets this art form and through its library and archives as well as its educational programs.

The Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Wednesdays (and Saturdays through Labor Day), the Museum is open until 9 p.m. Museum admission is $22 for adults, $18 for adult residents of Greater Cleveland, $17 for seniors (65+), $13 for youth (9-12), children under 8 and Museum Members are always free, for information or to join the membership program call 216. 515.8425. For general inquiries, please call 216.781.ROCK(7625) or visit http://www.rockhall.com. The Museum is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.

About National Geographic Entertainment National Geographic Entertainment combines into a single operating group National Geographic’s Cinema Ventures and National Geographic Films and World Films, along with Kids Entertainment, Home Entertainment and Music & Radio. In 2005, National Geographic Films (NGF) co-presented the 2005 Academy Award-winning “March of the Penguins, ” and National Geographic World Films co-presented the 2004 Oscar-nominated film “The Story of the Weeping Camel” as well as Lu Chuan’s “Mountain Patrol: Kekexili.” National Geographic Cinema Ventures (NGCV), released domestically and internationally the 3-D concert film “U2 3D” to critical acclaim and set giant-screen box office records with “Mysteries of Egypt” and “Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure.” Adam Leipzig is president of NGF, Lisa Truitt is president of NGCV and Mark Katz is president of NGCV Distribution.

NGE is part of National Geographic Global Media, bringing together all of National Geographic’s editorial platforms to streamline collaboration and support the Society’s mission. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” National Geographic works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 375 million people worldwide each month through magazines, books, digital media, television, radio, music, film and live events. It funds over 250 scientific research, exploration and conservation projects each year and supports an education program promoting geography literacy. For more information, visit http://www.nationalgeographic.com.

About 3ality Digital 3ality Digital is a state-of-the-art entertainment company that uses advanced technologies to power uniquely dynamic content and audience experiences in 3D. The company’s mission is to deliver pixel-perfect 3D entertainment from image capture through broadcast, regardless of viewing platform. Based in Burbank, Calif., 3ality Digital brings together world-class experts in the fields of filmmaking, science and technology to develop environments in which audience members feel the action and become part of the moment.